Story by
The Joplin Globe, Mo.
MSSU falls to University of Central Missouri 24-24 Saturday
- Story byThe Joplin Globe, Mo.
- MSSU falls to University of Central Missouri 24-24 Saturday
Missouri Southern State University's defense turned in a strong performance, with two interceptions and some key stops, but their offense could not keep pace with University of Central Missouri scoring. The Lions fell 24-14 to the Mules Saturday at Fred G. Hughes Stadium.
The Lions defense was bend-don't-break early.
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Central Missouri drove all the way to the Lions 18-yard line on its first possession, but a sack of UCM quarterback Jordan Pachot by Southern's Khelton Reed, followed by a Peyton McKee interception of a Pachot pass ended the scoring threat.
UCM began its second drive at midfield and six rushing plays later was on the MSSU 13-yard line. The Mules opted to go for a first down on 4th and 1, but the Lions defense held and the Mules turned the ball over on downs.
Southern's offense failed to reach midfield in the first half, with its best drive making it to just its own 32-yard line.
After a scoreless first quarter, UCM got on the board eight seconds into the second stanza with a 1-yard touchdown by Damion Brown.
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The Mules increased their lead to 14-0 after Marcus Williams intercepted a Tillman Martin pass on the first play from scrimmage and ran it into the end zone with 6:52 left in the half.
Martin threw his second interception of the game when Abe Hoskins III pilfered a pass at the Mules' 45-yard line with 1:54 left in the half.
The MSSU defense held, courtesy of a Noah Conner interception at the Mules 45-yard line and the teams went into the break with UCM leading 14-0.
Martin cut the Mules' lead in half with 4:52 left in the third quarter when he ran for a 4-yard touchdown to make it a 14-7 game.
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Brown scored from 1-yard out for the second time in the game with 6:03 left in the fourth to take the UCM lead back to 14 at 21-7.
Southern's Allen Mitchell cut the lead back to seven with a 4-yard run into the end zone with 3 minutes left in the game.
The Mules final score came courtesy of a Will Peacock 35-yard field goal that sealed the Mule 24-14 win.
Southern's Riley Hammons had 14 tackles, including six solo and eight assisted.
Mitchell ran for 72 yards and a score on 14 carries. Martin was 14 of 34 for 130 yards and two interceptions. Isaiah Green led MSSU receivers with six catches for 84 yards.
MSSU (1-3) travels to Fort Hays State University next week.
